Baker McKenzie to expand in Belfast

Top Law Firm to Expand in Move to City Quays 2

Leading Global Law Firm Baker McKenzie has announced it has entered into an agreement with Belfast Harbour to take additional office space in the City Quays development in Belfast, enabling it to grow to up to 450 staff. Baker McKenzie was the first tenant to move to grade A office space within City Quays 1 in June 2015 and currently employs just under 300 people. Now nearing capacity in existing premises, Baker McKenzie has confirmed it will lease a floor in City Quays 2 to accommodate future roles.

Baker McKenzie opened its Belfast office in late 2014, and the office has grown rapidly as an integral part of the firm's global presence of 77 offices around the world. In Belfast, the team provides over 30 legal and business service, including finance, corporate support, marketing and IT, and this announcement today will allow those to develop in scope and number.

James Richards, Executive Director of Baker McKenzie in Belfast says: "The growth of our Belfast office has been a remarkable success story which would not have been possible without the exceptional pool of talent here from both legal and business backgrounds, which has allowed us to create highly skilled and specialised opportunities in Northern Ireland.

"Our lawyers and professional staff around the globe have been really impressed at what we have created here in Belfast and we have become a major innovation hub for the firm. We have introduced a number of initiatives here that are not only benefitting our clients but have a direct impact on our financial performance. "

"Having established ourselves in the city almost four years ago, our announcement today underscores our commitment to Belfast and to Northern Ireland .

Joe O’Neill, Belfast Harbour’s CEO said:

“Cementing our relationship even further with Baker McKenzie and facilitating their ability to grow is something which makes us very proud. City Quays 2 is Belfast Harbour’s response to ongoing demand by inward investors and indigenous firms for new Grade A office space in Belfast. The development has already established itself as the preferred destination for local and international business leaders and Baker McKenzie’s decision to expand into City Quays 2 is a clear testament to the quality of the space provided, its location for business and the infrastructure around it.”

Baker McKenzie has fully integrated itself into local business and community projects in Northern Ireland, working with a number of charities and organisations including Cancer Focus, Business in the Community and the Institute of Directors. In February 2017 it also announced it was teaming up with Ulster University to launch its Innovation Hub, to train and inspire the lawyers of the future. This hub is the first of its kind in the UK.